“A lawyer with a briefcase can steal more than a thousand men with guns.” —Mario Puzo
Not every legal matter requires the use of an attorney. Fighting a speeding ticket and going to small claims courts are two major examples.
However, in countless other situations involving a legal dispute, or deal, it may be pretty risky going it alone without the advice of an experienced lawyer who can help you out. In fact, while good legal representation may not be cheap, it can help get you out of a number of sticky situations, such as a bad divorce, lost job, or violation.
While each person’s legal situation is different, there are times when you really should hire a lawyer. In fact, failing to work with an attorney in certain instances can lead to broken agreements, lost claims, or even prison time- sometimes when you’re supposed to be on the winning side.
Having a good attorney can provide incredible value to you and your business, protecting you from legal implications and keeping your business running smoothly.
If you’re not convinced that one is a good plan of action, here are some reasons that may change your mind.
It’s always better to avoid problems rather than fix them later.
You may have heard the saying that ” prevention is better than cure.” Well, hiring a lawyer in many instances will help you avoid potential legal headaches down the road. Do you really understand the fine print of that contract you are signing and what it will mean for you down the road? A lawyer will.
A lawyer can present your strongest case,
Pleading guilty or admitting fault isn’t the only choice, even if there’s evidence pointing directly at you. When you hire a lawyer, they can explain all of your options and can help you avoid potentially severe penalties even before a trial begins.
The law can be complicated.
If you’re not a lawyer you probably have no business acting like one in certain instances. Even experienced lawyers typically do not represent themselves in court. Also, attorneys tend to specialize in one or more legal practice areas, such as criminal defence or tax law.
A solid case can quickly unravel without the help of a trained and emotionally detached attorney. Similarly, failing to hire a lawyer when starting a business, reviewing a contract, or embarking on other endeavours with potential legal ramifications can result in otherwise avoidable pitfalls.
Lawyers know how to challenge evidence.
Without the proper legal training, you may not be able to know whether a key piece of evidence against you was improperly obtained or that the testimony of a witness contradicts an earlier statement. And did the crime lab properly handle the evidence every step of the way? Your attorney will find out and possibly have that evidence suppressed.
Filing the wrong document or following the wrong procedure could ruin your case.
If you’re not an attorney, you may struggle with the deadlines and protocol for properly filling out and filing certain legal documents. One late or incorrect filing could derail your case, delay a given legal procedure, or worse – have the case thrown out altogether (and not in your favour).
The other party probably has legal representation.
Non-attorneys are generally at a disadvantage when squaring off against opposing counsel or doing business with another party that has legal counsel. As explained above, the law is complicated and an attorney representing your adversary (or even a non-adversarial party entering into a legal agreement with you) will take advantage of this inequity.
Never take it for granted that your lawyer can solve that problem before it escalates.
Whether you’re staring down the potential of prison time, trying to get the best possible arrangement for your children after a divorce, need to defend yourself from a lawsuit, or have some other legal matter, it’s good to know there are experienced attorneys. Some of them are available online. Reach out to them.
Do you have any question or comment? Do share with us in the comment section.
